Transgender children, adolescents, and their families are an underserved, and often unrecognized segment of our population. Because of societyâs lack of awareness of a simple, yet complex part of human identity â gender â transgender children and adolescents are deeply misunderstood. This lack of understanding feeds family and societal rejection and stigmatization, which often leads to sexual and physical violence directed towards transgender children. The shame and rejection felt by these children in turn may lead to self-harming behaviors, increased drug use, homelessness, HIV/AIDS infection, depression, and suicide. As more information begins to surface in the popular media, professionals are beginning to pay attention to this minority group, and many families are beginning to seek the help of family therapists. This workshop will help clinicians take a step toward meeting this need and begin to develop a transaffirmative practice with gender-variant children, adolescents, and their families. We will briefly explore the development of gender identity in children and adolescents, the developmental phases of gender variant and transgender children, and the terminology used to describe gender-variance. Because families may approach family therapists to assess their child for gender identity disorder, we will also briefly discuss DSM diagnosis and the assessment of gender identity and expression, what treatments are available, how these treatments can help, and assessing a child's need to socially or medically transition. The primary focus of this workshop will be understanding one's own bias, the identification and understanding of the specific needs of gender variant children, parental stages of understanding and acceptance, meeting the needs of the family, and how to advocate for your clients in a transphobic climate.
At the conclusion of this workshop, attendees will understand the difference between, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. They will know the current treatments available for transgender children and adolescents. They will understand the key areas that challenge families with transgender or gender-variant children and several ways a family therapist can help address the needs of these children, adolescents, and their parents or caregivers.


Shawn V. Giammattei, PhD is a licensed clinical psychologist and gender specialist in private practice in San Francisco & Santa Rosa, CA with a focus on systemic and LGBT affirmative work with individuals, couples, and families. He is currently the Coordinator of Training and an affiliated researcher at the Rockway Institute: A national center for LGBT psychology research, education and public policy; the President Elect of the Association of Family Therapists of Northern California and an active member of AFTA & the World Professional Association for Transgender Health. Dr. Giammattei is also a clinical professor at both Argosy and Alliant International University where he teaches courses in LGBT psychology and couples & family therapy. Recently, he helped develop a new Certificate Program in LGBTI Mental Health at Alliant International University, which offered him the opportunity to create and teach the first, and possibly only graduate level, semester long course in Transgender Mental Health.


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Artist/Composer: Shawn Giammattei, Ph.D.
Keywords: Family Therapy

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